Bacterial tracheitis

What is bacterial tracheitis?

The trachea /breathing tube/ is an important part of the body’s respiratory system. When air enters through the nose or mouth, it passes through the larynx and down the windpipe. The trachea then branches into two tubes called bronchi, which deliver air directly to the lungs. In addition to providing oxygen to the lungs through the trachea, carbon dioxide also passes through it during exhalation.

Bacterial tracheitis is a bacterial infection of the trachea. This type of infection usually affects younger children, but teenagers up to the age of 16 can also be at risk.

Bacterial tracheitis more often develops in boys. But it is a rare disease, affecting 0.1 per 100,000 children per year. Although it is rare, if not treated promptly, it is possible to develop life-threatening complications.

What are the symptoms of bacterial tracheitis?

The disease often develops after an upper respiratory tract infection. Initial symptoms such as cough, runny nose or low-grade fever may occur. After 2 to 5 days, symptoms of infection and airway obstruction may develop. These symptoms can be:

• Deep and severe cough;
• Difficult breathing;
• High temperature;
• Breathing is accompanied by a shrill sound – stridor;
• Wheezing;
• Cyanosis – bluing of the skin due to lack of oxygen.

The accompanying wheezing may be a sign of serious infection and is a partial obstruction of respiratory tract and is a potentially life-threatening condition. If you or your child develop any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

What causes it?

Inflammation of the trachea is most often caused by StaphylococcusAureus. But other bacteria can also cause the disease:

• Streptococcuspneumonia
• Haemophilusinfluenza
• Moraxellacatarrhalis

Although cases of the disease have also been described in the elderly, it is most commonly seen in children. The clinical condition most often results from an upper respiratory tract infection such as the common cold. After the infection, bacteria can more easily penetrate the trachea and become the cause of its infection, inflammation and swelling.

The trachea in children is narrower and therefore even a slight swelling can quickly block the airways. This condition does not occur as quickly in adults, and the infection can be treated before the gradual obstruction of the airways begins. This may explain the reason why the disease is seen more often in children than in adults.

Bacterial tracheitis treatment

Treatment focuses initially on clearing the airways and curing the infection. Most people with this condition will need an endotracheal tube, which is placed in the airway to help them breathe.

Once the tube is placed in the airway /the process is called endotracheal intubation/, lung function will improve until the infection is cured. During intubation, antibiotics are given intravenously to treat the infection at the same time

What is the outlook?

The outlook for this condition depends on how quickly you seek treatment. Small children’s airways can swell very quickly, making it difficult for them to breathe. If the trachea is completely blocked, it will lead to cessation of breathing and even death.

If the infection is caused by the bacteria StaphylococcusAureus you are at risk of developing toxic shock syndrome, which can lead to fever, shock and organ failure. This condition can be fatal, but with timely treatment, you will recover completely.